A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATIONS FOR SHAMROCKS AS THEIR CORK MINOR HERO BRINGS THE TOM MARKHAM TROPHY HOME TO FAMILY, CLUB AND COMMUNITY.
Report by Seán Ó Túama
Shamrock’s Donal Herlihy was a member of the Cork Minor Football Team that brought All Ireland honours to the County after a brilliant campaign culminating with a historic victory over holders Tyrone in St. Conleth’s Park Newbridge on the first Sunday of July 2026.
After a long and arduous campaign with arch rivals Kerry defeated twice in Munster the team went on to comprehensively defeat Meath and Derry and reach the final. Their opponents were the defending champions from Ulster, Tyrone. On the first Sunday of July over ten thousand attended this game in St. Conleth’s Park Newbridge and most of them carried the Rebel colours. Many followers were in Dublin the previous day and left bitterly disappointed, our Senior Hurlers having been defeated. They were in Newbridge to seek some compensation and to lift their broken spirits. We all got what we dearly desired and badly wanted, an All Ireland Title. The Keith Ricken managed team produced a wonderful second half to wipe out a large halftime deficit and win 2-16 to 1-16. The traditional Cork fighting spirit was in abundance and the Rebel Road rocked the foundations of St. Conleth’s Park.
A number of celebratory events were planned for the second weekend in September. On the Thursday the Club hosted a lunch at Ringaskiddy’s Ferryboat Inn Restaurant where Sarah and her Staff put on a magnificent fare. Guests of honour was our Cork Minor hero Donal along with his mother Ann and father John. The Club President nonagenarian Jerh. Coveney along with Vice-Presidents, Gertie O’Driscoll, Anthony Ronayne, Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap., and Pat Tuohy led the Shamrock Members. Special guests were Crosshaven’s Ronan Cogan and John Middleton, long standing Mentors of the Diarmuid O’Murchu Minor team from which our Minor Hero Donal emerged on to the County Team.
Club Chairman, John Twomey (Ringaskiddy) welcomed everybody including Billy O’Connor a Selector with the Cork Team. John paid tribute to the team and its players and mentors. He had special praise for our team member Donal Herlihy who showed and demonstrated to everybody what can be achieved when one puts in a big effort whether you are from a large or small Club. Donal had been a member of the Cork Under 16 Football Team the previous year which captured the winners trophy too. John added that Shamrocks and the wider community were proud of their youngster who starred on the great playing fields of Ireland carrying his county colours with pride and determination. Declan O’Neill, Hon. Treasurer and Fixtures Coordinator at the South-East Board spoke and alluded to the very successful amalgamation of the Crosshaven and Shamrock Minor Teams in recent years. With numbers tight this was a very sensible option and afforded keen and willing players to get great games at top level. He congratulated the present team on reaching this season’s County Final when they will face the Town of Macroom.
Friday was a full day with visits to the Schools and an official parade of welcome at Pairc Tadhg O’h-Ainnlaoi, Shanbally. There was a big bonus for the Schools as Donal Herlihy was joined by Saoirse McCarthy of Courceys Rovers bearing the O’Duffy Cup. Saoirse was one of Cork’s Camogie stars in their wonderful All Ireland victory in Croke park, scoring a golden goal in the second half. Shanbally and Ringaskiddy Schools were a sea of red and it was an opportunity for children and staff to encounter and meet up with two Cork All Ireland Medal winners in 2026
The evening event at the pitch was one of the finest ever organised by the Club. Fortunately, the we had personnel to put a plan in place to make sure that success would prevail. Under Age Vice-Chairperson Niamh O’Brien showed all her great leadership qualities, and along with her support team made this a resounding success. A huge crowd turned out on a splendid autumn evening with touches of Indian summer prevailing. Red was the colour and the password. The parade led by a piper took the heroes and officials up to the Clubhouse with the roadway lined by cheering admirers and onto the main pitch, now glistening with a green sward of grass recently trimmed by groundsman Pat O’Neill. The champions were hailed and a huge Shamrock roar went up for the Team Manager Keith Ricken when he came to the rostrum to be greeted and acknowledged by the Club’s Vice-Chairman Dave O’Neill. The golden Celtic Cross which is the All Ireland medal is the mark of greatness for any boy or girl playing Hurling, Camogie and Football.
PS. The man in the Ice Cream Van had to go for physiotherapy afterwards as he had pains and cramps on his hands and arms for serving large ‘99’ s throughout this beautiful evening to an unending queue.